The carrier says it’s also the only TV provider to offer both live and on-demand 4K content. Further, Telus also states that for a limited time, customers who sign up for a two-year term for the carrier’s 4K TV service will get a free 50-inch LG UK6300 4K HDR Smart TV (the TV is typically priced in the $800 range). Optik TV is only available in Western Canada.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that Optik TV customers have access to cutting-edge entertainment technologies. 4K HDR, enriching the viewing experience with more than a billion available colours, is the new gold standard in TV picture quality,” said Zainul Mawji, vice president of home solutions and complementary channels at Telus.

Telus says that Optik TV will only broadcast in HDR10 and that content will not feature competing high-dynamic range format Dolby Vision. It’s currently unclear how much Optik TV content will actually be available in HDR10, with the carrier only listing the films Blue Planet II, Planet Earth II, Justice League, Dunkirk and Blade Runner 2049. Telus claims that a “growing catalogue of 4K HDR-compatible titles can be accessed” on demand through its Optik platform.

High dynamic range refers to two factors in terms of televisions: how bright and dark a television is capable of being and how closely colours on-screen compare to real-life.

A 4K HDR-capable TV, a Telus 4K PVR and Telus Internet 50 or higher are also required for Optik TV 4K.